Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy Research Articles

Pulsed dye laser in jellyfish-induced keloids

ABSTRACT Jellyfish stings can cause acute inflammatory skin lesions that may hesitate in keloids. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) represents one of the most effective treatments for newly developed keloids. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PDL on newly developed keloids specifically induced by jellyfish stings in pediatric patients.We conducted a retrospective observational study on pediatric patients with newly developed keloids from jellyfish stings, treated in the last two years with 595 nm wavelength PDL with a duration of 0.45–1.5 msec, spot-size 7 mm and fluence 8.5–9.5 J/cm2. PDL therapy was administered for a mean of 7.4 treatment sessions, every 1–3 months. Two expert dermatologists evaluated the vascularity, pigmentation, height, and pliability of keloids, according to the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), pre-and-post treatment. A total of 17 patients (7 males, 10 females) were included in the study, mean age of 11 years. Overall, mean pre-treatment global VSS was 11.0 ± 1.50. After treatment, global VSS was 3.88 ± 1.87. At paired t-test, the difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment was highly statistically significant (p < .0001). Commonly, manipulation and therapeutic intervention on jellyfish scars and keloids is feared. The present study supports the use of PDL in keloids secondary to jellyfish stings, though conducted on a limited number of patients.

Timing of Laser Intervention on Facial Scars: A 3D Imaging and Scar Scale Analysis in a Retrospective Study.

Scars resulting from injuries or surgical procedures often present both physical and aesthetic challenges. Recent studies have indicated promising results in improving postoperative scar outcomes through the combined use of specific laser technologies. Nevertheless, there remains a crucial need for further exploration to ascertain the optimal timing for initiating such treatments. In this retrospective investigation, a cohort of 47 adult patients who did not require hospitalization was analyzed. These patients were divided into two distinct groups: Group A, which received intervention beginning 2 weeks after their respective operations, and Group B, which commenced intervention 4 weeks postoperation. Each group underwent a comprehensive treatment protocol consisting of five laser sessions. Initially, patients underwent three sessions of V-beam pulsed-dye laser (PDL) therapy followed by two sessions of ablative fractional CO2 laser (AFL) therapy. Evaluation of outcomes was conducted using advanced imaging techniques such as Antera 3D imaging, in conjunction with established scar assessment tools including the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the University of North Carolina "4P" Scar Scale (UNC4P). All patients successfully completed the full course of five treatment sessions, with no dropouts and no reported adverse events. Baseline cosmetic assessments of scars were equivalent across both groups. In Group A, the mean VSS scores decreased from 7.04 before treatment to 5.29 at 3 months posttreatment and further to 4.33 at 6 months posttreatment. Meanwhile, in Group B, scores decreased from 7.52 to 6.83 at 3 months and 6.17 at 6 months. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline VSS scores between the two groups (p = 0.34). At both the 3- and 6-month follow-up points, mean VSS scores were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (p < 0.05). Similar trends were observed in UNC4P scores. Statistically significant differences were noted across all time points (baseline, 3 months, and 6 months posttreatment) for both VSS and UNC4P scores (p < 0.05). Subset analysis revealed greater improvements in texture and depression volume at 3 months posttreatment, while improvements in depression area, depth, elevation variation, and area were more pronounced at the 6-month mark. Early intervention using the combined 595-nm pulse dye laser and CO2 ablative fractional laser (AFL) 2- and 4-weeks post-surgery proves to be an effective and safe method for improving scar outcomes, particularly for facial surgical scars when treatment starts 2 weeks after surgery. However, further research is needed to refine our understanding and address potential study limitations.

Defining the Treatment Window: Early Versus Late Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy for Posttraumatic and Surgical Scars in Asian Patients

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness of pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment in early versus late treatment groups for traumatic or postoperative scars. The study aims to determine the threshold between early and late treatment. Additionally, it investigates factors that may influence wound healing outcomes.MethodsThe medical records of 147 patients who underwent PDL treatment at our institution between January 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were patients receiving PDL treatment for traumatic or postoperative scars. Out of these patients, we selected those who were willing to receive telephone interviews or re‐visit at a scheduled time. Eventually, 52 participants were included in our study. A standardized questionnaire was administered to all participants during telephone interviews, encompassing inquiries regarding their medical history, treatment experiences, and the patient component of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Among the enrolled patients, 38 were contacted and interviewed via telephone, while the remaining 14 patients attended follow‐up visits where photographs of their current skin condition were captured. The pretreatment and latest follow‐up photographs obtained from the clinical database were independently scored in a blinded manner by two dermatologist reviewers using both the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Manchester Scar Scale.ResultsAmong the 52 patients, 43 (82.7%) were successfully treated with good response. The correlation coefficients between week‐to‐treatment initiation and posttreatment MSS and VSS among patients with good response were 0.50 (p &lt; 0.001) and 0.46 (p = 0.002), respectively. Given these findings, we established a treatment initiation threshold of 10 weeks, distinguishing patients into early and late treatment groups. The early treatment group showed borderline significantly lower posttreatment MSS and VSS scores than the late treatment group (MSS: 7.5 ± 2.1 vs. 9.3 ± 2.5, p = 0.011; VSS: 2.8 ± 2.0 vs. 4.5 ± 2.3, p = 0.011). Furthermore, both MSS and VSS of posttreatment showed significantly greater improvement in the early treatment group (4.4 ± 1.6 vs. 3.2 ± 1.9; p = 0.03 and 3.8 ± 1.8 vs. 2.8 ± 1.4; p = 0.04).ConclusionsEarly intervention using a PDL within 10 weeks post‐injury achieved better outcomes in treating traumatic and postoperative scars based on both clinical and patient opinions.

Unilateral naevoid telangiectasia: A retrospective study of 11 paediatric cases.

Background Unilateral naevoid telangiectasia (UNT) is a rare disease with only sporadic cases reported. The pathogenesis remains elusive and especially in paediatric patients, effective and safe treatment is still uncertain. Objectives The purpose of this study was to summarise the clinical characteristics of UNT, explore the possible pathogenesis and evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy. Materials and Methods The epidemiological data, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and pathological features of paediatric patients with UNT were retrospectively reviewed. PDL treatment was done on some of the patients. Clinical documents and patient images before and after treatment were assessed to evaluate efficacy and adverse events. Results Most of the cases (9/11) presented with unilateral lesions. The laboratory results of all the 11 cases were normal. Histological examination in six cases revealed multiple, dilated veins in the reticular dermis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) staining was positive, whereas oestrogen receptor staining was negative. Nine cases were treated with PDL which was shown to be effective and safe. Conclusion UNT has typical clinical manifestations. The pathogenesis of this disease could be linked to VEGF; however, more research and confirmation are needed. PDL is an effective and safe treatment for UNT.

Subminute thermal damage to cell types present in the skin

Introduction Psoriasis is characterized by an increase in the proliferation of keratinocytes and nerve fiber activity, contributing to the typical skin lesions. Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatment is effective for the treatment of psoriatic lesions but its mechanism remains unclear. One hypothesis is that PDL causes thermal damage by the diffusion of heat to neighboring structures in lesional skin. There is limited information on the thermal sensitivity of these neighboring skin cells when exposed to hyperthermia for durations lasting less than a minute. Our study aimed to investigate the cell-specific responses to heat using sub-minute exposure times and moderate to ablative hyperthermia. Materials and Methods Cultured human endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, neuronal cells, and keratinocytes were exposed to various time (2–20 sec) and temperature (45–70 °C) combinations. Cell viability was assessed by measuring intracellular ATP content 24 h after thermal exposure and this data was used to calculate fit parameters for the Arrhenius model and CEM43 calculations. Results Our results show significant differences in cell survival between cell types (p < 0.0001). Especially within the range of 50–60 °C, survival of neuronal cells and keratinocytes was significantly less than that of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. No statistically significant difference was found in the lethal dose (LT50) of thermal energy between neuronal cells and keratinocytes. However, CEM43 calculations showed significant differences between all four cell types. Conclusion The results imply that there is a cell-type-dependent sensitivity to thermal damage which suggests that neuronal cells and keratinocytes are particularly susceptible to diffusing heat from laser treatment. Damage to these cells may aid in modulating the neuro-inflammatory pathways in psoriasis. These data provide insight into the potential mechanisms of PDL therapy for psoriasis and advance our understanding of how thermal effects may play a role in its effectiveness.

Hemoporfin photodynamic therapy of limb port-wine stains resistant to pulsed dye laser therapy: a case report

SignificancePWS have a great impact on patient's mental health, which requires early intervention. Hemoporfin photodynamic therapy provides new possibilities for the treatment of pulsed dye laser- resistant PWS patients and brings more hope to the families of millions of patients. ApproachWe reported the recovery of a case of pulsed dye laser-resistant PWS of the extremities after 17 sessions of hemoporfin photodynamic therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. ResultsThe erythra of the patient subsided significantly after treatment. ConclusionsHemoporfin photodynamic therapy is a novel and effective treatment for patients with PWS who are resistant to dye laser therapy.

Non-invasive efficacy assessment of pulsed dye laser and photodynamic therapy for port-wine stain.

Port wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation that commonly occurs on the face and neck. Currently, the main treatments for port wine stain are pulsed dye laser (PDL) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the efficacy evaluation of PWS mostly relies on the subjective judgement of clinicians, and it is difficult to accurately respond to many small changes after treatment. Therefore, some non-invasive and efficient efficacy assessment methods are also needed. With the continuous development of technology, there are currently many visualisation instruments to evaluate PWS, including dermoscopy, VISIA-CR™ system, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), laser speckle imaging (LSI) and laser Doppler imaging (LDI). Among them, there are simple and low-cost technologies such as dermoscopy and the VISIA-CR™ system, but they may not be able to observe the deeper structures of PWS. At this time, combining techniques such as HFUS and OCT to increase penetration depth is crucial to evaluate PWS. In the future, the combination of these different technologies could help overcome the limitations of a single technology. This article provides a systematic overview of non-invasive methods for evaluating treatment efficacy in port wine stains and summarises their advantages and disadvantages.

Pulsed dye laser (PDL) versus photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of port wine stain (PWS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Vascular lesions, such as port wine stain (PWS), lead to facial and psychological problems that require careful and timely treatments. This review aims to compare two mainstream methods pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for PWS. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI Full-Text Chinese Database and VIP Chinese Scientific Journals Database were searched for literatures comparing PDL versus PDT in treating PWS with no dates set. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were randomised, placebo-controlled or head-to-head trials published in either English or Chinese. The primary outcome was overall response rate judged by physician/investigator-reported outcome scoring system. Adverse effects were also recorded. Review Manager (RevMan) was used to perform data synthesis. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used for methodological quality assessment. Retrospective studies were assessed based on Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, among which eight studies had the data necessary for the meta-analysis. Among the eight studies, four were retrospective studies with 1,075 patients. The other four were RCT studies with 532 randomised participants. Regarding the overall response rate of RCT studies, PDT demonstrated no significantly higher efficacy than PDL with RR 0.76 (95% credible interval [CI] 0.48–1.20). Regarding purple types, the overall response rate of PDT was statistically significantly superior to that of PDL with RR of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.29–0.79). In terms of red types, PDT also manifested no significantly higher efficacy compared with PDL with RR of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.27–2.71). Conclusion: PDT is an effective and safe treatment for different types of PWS and was more effective than PDL in treating purple type of PWS.

An Unexpected Finding: Treatment History Associated with the Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Port-Wine Stains.

Port-wine stains (PWS) are predominantly located on the face and neck. Hence, PWS affect not only aesthetic appearance but may also cause psychological distress. However, very few studies have researched on the quality of life (QoL) in Chinese patients with PWS. To evaluate QoL in patients with PWS. Skindex-29 and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were used to investigate the QoL of the patients with PWS and healthy controls. In total, 198 adults with PWS and 200 healthy controls were included. The scores of symptomatic, emotional and functional dimensions of Skindex-29 in the observational group were significantly higher as compared with the control group (P<0.05). Female gender, lesion location and the treatment history (such as pulsed dye laser or photodynamic therapy) had a negative impact on the scores (emotional and functional dimensions) of the patients with PWS. The median DLQI score was 3 points in the observational group and 0 points in the control group (P<0.05), and QoL of patients who had a history of previous treatments was diminished. The QoL of patients with PWS is impaired. Patients' QoL is negatively influenced by female gender, lesion location and treatment history. The Skindex-29 scale seems to be more applicable to the study of QoL of patients with PWS.

P60 Intralesional steroids vs. liquid nitrogen cryotherapy vs. 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the management of chest keloids: a comparative study

Abstract Chest keloids often result in cosmetic disfigurement, contractures, pruritus and pain. Inflammatory truncal acne often triggers chest keloid. Management is often challenging as they are relatively resistant to treatment and recurrence rates are high. The objective of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg mL−1) vs. liquid nitrogen cryotherapy vs. 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the management of chest keloids. We conducted a comparative prospective study in a total of 42 patients with chest keloids from July 2021 to July 2022. These patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups via the envelope method. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to assess the clinical efficacy of the treatment modality. Patients were scored at the initiation of therapy and every 4 weeks until 16 weeks. Seven patients were lost to follow-up (response rate 83%). Treatment arms consisted of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (n = 10), liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (n = 11) and pulsed dye laser (n = 14). There was a near-equal sex distribution of chest keloids (male-to-female ratio 1.21 : 1), with 15 patients (35.7%) having additional keloids in other body parts. The mean (SD) age of patients with chest keloids was 27.2 (13.6) years with a common incidence in those aged 20–30 years. Comparison of mean VSS as baseline and at 16 weeks revealed a statistically significant decrease in the score in all three treatment arms (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Comparison between the three different treatment arms revealed pulsed dye laser to be the most effective modality in decreasing VSS at the 16-week follow-up (Anova followed by post hoc analysis with Tukey’s test). With regard to the adverse clinical event profile, acneiform eruptions were reported following steroid injections, blistering and depigmentation were reported following liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, and blistering was reported following pulsed dye laser therapy. Thus, the pulsed dye laser (595 nm) appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment modality in the management of chest keloids.

Effects of pulsed dye laser treatment in psoriasis: A nerve-wrecking process?

Pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy can be effective in treating psoriasis, with a long duration of remission. Although PDL therapy, albeit on a modest scale, is being used for decades now, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the long-term remission of psoriasis remain poorly understood. The selective and rapid absorption of energy by the blood causes heating of the vascular wall and surrounding structures, like perivascular nerves. Several studies indicate the importance of nerves in psoriatic inflammation. Interestingly, denervation leads to a spontaneous remission of the psoriatic lesion. Among all dermal nerves, the perivascular nerves are the most likely to be affected during PDL treatment, possibly impairing the neuro-inflammatory processes that promote T-cell activation, expression of adhesion molecules, leukocyte infiltration and cytokine production. Repeated PDL therapy could cause a prolonged loss of innervation through nerve damage, or result in a 'reset' of neurogenic inflammation after temporary denervation. The current hypothesis provides strong arguments that PDL treatment affects nerve fibres in the skin and thereby abrogates the persistent and exaggerated inflammatory process underlying psoriasis, causing a long-term remission of psoriasis.

Treatment Strategy for Infantile Hemangiomas of Head and Face with Long Pulse Dye Laser and Oral Propranolol Therapy

Treatment Strategy for Infantile Hemangiomas of Head and Face with Long Pulse Dye Laser and Oral Propranolol Therapy

Clinical efficacy of the combined use of a pulsed dye laser and enzyme preparation phonophoresis in patients with immature hypertrophic skin scars

BACKGROUND: Taking into account the role of angiogenesis processes in the zone of development of immature scar tissue, it seems pathogenetically justified to use a vascular laser for the correction of hypertrophic skin scars that are at the maturation stage. In this regard, we used a pulsed dye laser, the effect of which is perceived by the patient without pronounced pain, and the technology itself is quite safe and leads to a rapid recovery of the skin after the procedure. Fermencol phonophoresis supplementation of laser therapy with pulsed dye laser has the potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of a vascular laser, since Fermenkol is a preparation of collagenases of hydrobiont origin that can destroy the components of the extracellular matrix, the formation of which exceeds in intensity its degradation by matrix metalloproteinases at the stage of formation scar. The use of ultrasound in this case not only accelerates the delivery of proteolytic enzymes, but also exhibits independent fibromodulatory activity.&#x0D; AIM: comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of physiotherapeutic factors (Fermenkol phonophoresis, pulsed dye laser therapy and their combination) in patients with immature hypertrophic skin scars, taking into account clinical research methods.&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 125 patients aged 19 to 50 years with immature (less than 6 months) hypertrophic skin scars. All patients were divided into 4 groups according to the simple fixed randomization procedure. The first group (control, 32 patients) received course local compression therapy using silicone plates for two months. The second group (31 patients) was treated with phonophoresis of 0.01% Fermencol gel. The third group (31 patients) was treated with pulsed dye laser. The fourth group (31 patients) received complex treatment, including a combination of two pulsed dye laser procedures and two cycles of Fermencol phonophoresis. Patients were examined twice: before the start of treatment and 2 weeks after the end of the course of treatment. The assessment of the clinical condition of patients was carried out according to the modified Vancouver scale for assessing the signs of cicatricial deformity.&#x0D; RESULTS: Conducting a course of treatment of patients with immature hypertrophic skin scars made it possible to establish a good tolerability of the effects of physiotherapeutic factors. At the same time, the positive dynamics of clinical manifestations of cicatricial changes in the skin, assessed by Vancouver scar scale, in the control and main groups was not the same and increased in the following order: Control Fermencol phonophoresis pulsed dye laser pulsed dye laser + Fermencol phonophoresis. The use of the correlation adaptometry technique, which makes it possible to objectify the obtained clinical data, evaluating them using the category of functional reserves of the body, confirmed that the best clinical result was achieved in the group recieved combined use of pulsed dye laser and Fermencol phonophoresis.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: The conclusion was made about the maximum therapeutic effect in the group of complex use of pulsed dye laser and ultrasound administration of an enzyme preparation, which manifested itself due to the synergistic type of interaction between two physiotherapeutic factors that have different modalities, points of application and mechanisms for implementing their therapeutic activity.

Experimental comparative study of the effect of fractional CO2 laser combined with pulsed dye laser versus each laser alone on the treatment of hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears.

The use of fractional CO2 laser and pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy to treat and/or prevent scarring following burn injury is becoming more widespread with a number of studies reporting reduction in scar erythema and pruritus following treatment with lasers. The objective of this study was to directly compare the efficacy of PDL, fractional CO2 , and PDL and fractional CO2 laser therapy in immature red hypertrophic scars in a standardized animal model. Ten New Zealand big-eared rabbits were used to make rabbit ear hypertrophic scar models. A total of 80hypertrophic scar models were obtained and randomly divided into groups: control (Group A), Fractional CO2 laser (Group B), pulse dye laser (Group C), combined (Group D), 20 in each group. Wound sites were treated with PDL, Fractional CO2 laser, or both at 28days post-grafting. Grafts receiving no laser therapy served as controls. Hypertrophic scar appearance, morphology, size, and erythema were assessed, and punch biopsies were collected. At days 7 and 28, additional tissue was collected for biomechanical analyses and markers for HE staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemical method to determine the CD31 content in the scar; Western blot to detect the expression of VEGF protein in scars. After the day 7 and 28, the scars were collected. Histomorphological change in scars was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining. The expression of CD31, VEGF protein, and the cell apoptosis rate was detected by immunohistochemical method. (i) In morphological observation, HE staining and Masson staining, both the number of fibroblasts and amount of collagen fibrils in the experimental group were significantly reduced compared with those in control group. (ii) Micro-vessel Density (MVD) value can be found much smaller in the experimental groups than the control (p<0.05). Among the four experimental groups, there was a significant difference among 14d, 21d, and 28d groups (p<0.05). (iii) On days 7 and 28 after treatment, expression of VEGF could be regulated in experimental group (p<0.05). Among the three experimental groups, the decrease of VEGF in the combined group was significantly stronger than that of the other two. The effect of Fractional CO2 laser combined with pulsed dye laser treatment was shown to be better than that of Fractional CO2 laser or pulsed dye laser alone and inhibits the early hypertrophic scar in rabbit ears.

Pulse dye laser therapy and superficial cryotherapy as a novel combination treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids

Background: Hypertrophic scars are benign and fibrotic skin lesions caused by defects in the regulation of cellularity during the wound-healingprocess, in which there is higher collagen production and less degradation. Genetic predisposing factors and different skin injuries may play a role in developing these types of lesions. On the other hand, keloids are overgrowths of fibrous tissue outside the original boundaries of trauma, yet these may also occur spontaneously. There are numerous treatment options for both conditions, including silicone gel sheeting, pressure therapy, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide, radiation, laser therapy, cryosurgery, interferon, 5-fluorouracil, and surgical excision as well as a multitude of extracts and topical agents. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of pulse dye laser (PDL) therapy and superficial cryotherapy as a combination treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Method: Four Arabic female patients were seen at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology at the King Fahd Hospital of the University in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The patients had keloids and hypertrophic scars. Treatment with cryotherapy every week for three weeks followed by one session of pulsed dye laser was administered rotationally for three to six months until the lesions displayed remarkable physical improvement or complete resolution. Results: All patients experienced significant improvement, showing a reduction in the size, erythema, pliability, and pruritus. None of the hypertrophic scars or keloids deteriorated during the one year of treatment. No complications were noted during the treatment period. Conclusion: Sequential PDL therapy combined with superficial cryotherapy may be an option for treating hypertrophic scars and keloids.

The Efficacy of Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment for Acne Vulgaris: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Previous reports have shown that pulsed dye laser (PDL) is promising for the treatment of acne; however, results provide conflicting evidence. To determine the efficacy of PDL in treating acne vulgaris. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published before March 31, 2020 was conducted. Randomized controlled trials and case series were analyzed. The meta-analysis estimated the standardized mean difference (SMD) in acne severity score changes in patients treated by PDL versus control and also the SMD of the acne severity scores and comedone counts changes before and after PDL treatment. Eleven studies were included in this systematic review. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pulsed dye laser treatment was not found to be superior to the control group in treating acne vulgaris (SMD: -0.285; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.886 to 0.317). However, single-arm studies revealed a significantly improved acne severity score after PDL therapy (SMD, -1.321; 95% CI, -2.057 to -0.586), especially when a multiple-session treatment and a longer pulse duration were employed. The comedone counts were significantly decreased after PDL therapy (SMD, -0.596; 95% CI, -1.137 to -0.054). When treatment consisted of 4 or more sessions or longer pulse duration, PDL could significantly decrease the acne severity score.

Efficacy and safety of hemoporfin photodynamic therapy for port-wine stains in paediatric patients: A retrospective study of 439 cases at a single centre

BackgroundAlthough hemoporfin photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment approach for port-wine stains, its efficacy in children has not been sufficiently assessed. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this approach in a paediatric population. MethodsWe retrospectively analysed the medical records of 439 children with port-wine stains receiving hemoporfin photodynamic therapy at our institution from July 2017 to January 2020. They received intravenous hemoporfin (hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether, 5 mg/kg), followed by lesion irradiation with a 532-nm green LED light for 20-25 min. The stains’ blanching degree and occurrence of adverse events were registered. ResultsOverall, 95.2% of patients showed an ‘effective response’ (>20% fading) and 74.3% showed almost-complete resolution and great improvement (≥60% fading). Red and pink lesions showed better response than purple lesions (P < 0.05). Neck and facial lesions showed better response than the trunk and extremity lesions (P < 0.05). The response of the patients to the PDT showed a cumulative effect of the treatment session. No photosensitivity or systemic adverse reactions were observed. Transient local adverse effects included swelling, purpura, crusts, and pigmentation, which resolved without treatment. Only 2% of children had permanent scars, likely related to scratching crusts. ConclusionsHemoporfin photodynamic therapy was well tolerated and effective in paediatric Chinese patients with port-wine stains. It could be recommended as the first choice, over pulsed-dye laser therapy, for treating port-wine stains, particularly for large lesions. This should be evaluated in direct clinical trials.

Flash Pulse Dye Laser (595nm) Therapy on Facial Capillary Malformation

Flash Pulse Dye Laser (595nm) Therapy on Facial Capillary Malformation

Efficacy and safety of pulsed dye laser for the treatment of surgical scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Various clinical trials have explored whether the pulsed dye laser (PDL) method is safe to treat scars, especially surgical scars. However, comprehensive evidence confirming the exact outcomes of PDL for treating surgical scars is lacking. The efficacy and safety of PDL in the treatment of surgical scars were determined through a review of several studies. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched, and the main clinical outcomes were Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores in terms of pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and height. Review Manager 5.4 software was used for statistical analyses of the data; we chose a standardized mean difference (SMZ) to present the results with 95% confidence interval (CI). Overall, seven randomized controlled trials were used for this meta-analysis, all of these papers used 585nm or 595nm PDL with 7mm or 10mm spot size and a fluence of 3.5 to 10J/cm2 for treating surgical scars; besides, the pulse duration ranged from 450μs to 10ms. We found that PDL significantly resulted in decreased VSS scores (P = 0.02) in four aspects: pigmentation (P = 0.0002), vascularity (P < 0.00001), pliability (P = 0.0002), and height (P = 0.0002). Moreover, scar improvement was similar when using 585nm and 595nm PDL in terms of pigmentation (P = 0.76), vascularity (P = 0.34), pliability (P = 0.64), and height (P = 0.57). Furthermore, our review indicated that PDL has no obvious adverse effects for most people, except transitory erythema and purpura. The meta-analysis showed that both 585nm and 595nm PDL therapy can effectively reduce the VSS score, suggesting that PDL can be a safe and effective method for the treatment of surgical scars.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study: Combined 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment and Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Topical Cream Superior to Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Cream for Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea.

Background and ObjectivesWe evaluated if oxymetazoline therapy combined with 595‐nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) will be more beneficial than topical oxymetazoline alone for the improvement of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.Study Design/Materials and MethodsThis was a randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial approved by an independent Institutional Review Board, which enrolled 34 patients with moderate to severe clinical erythema (CEA) into a two‐arm study of PDL with concomitant oxymetazoline cream (Arm 1) and oxymetazoline cream alone (Arm 2). Patients in Arm 1 were treated with 3 monthly laser sessions, which were started after 1 month of topical oxymetazoline cream. Thirty subjects continued with the study, and 25 subjects (Arm 1: 14, Arm 2: 11) completed the 6‐month follow‐up. With photographic comparison to baseline images, efficacy endpoints were based on clinical on‐site grading by both the investigator and the patient, using the grading tools for CEA, Global Aesthetic Improvement (GAI) assessment, vessel size improvement, and subject self‐assessment. These scales were assessed at baseline and/or at each clinical follow‐up at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Subject satisfaction as well as post‐treatment immediate response and treatment‐associated pain scores were also evaluated.ResultsStatistically significant improvement in CEA was seen in both arms at the 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐month post‐baseline visits (P < 0.01). Only Arm 1 presented statistically significant improvement in CEA (P < 0.001) at 6 months post baseline with a mean score of 1.6 (almost clear‐mild) compared with 3.2 at baseline. Arm 1 showed significantly greater mean vessel size improvement at 3 months (P < 0.01) and 6 months (P < 0.05) post baseline compared to Arm 2. Significantly greater improvement (P < 0.05) in the investigator GAI score was reported at the 2‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups compared with Arm 2. Subject GAI scores showed statistically significant greater improvement in Arm 1 compared with Arm 2 at both the 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups (P < 0.01). There were no complications or long‐term effects associated with PDL or topical oxymetazoline treatments.ConclusionThe prospective trial verifies a safe, enhanced clinical outcome with the combination of PDL therapy and topical oxymetazoline for the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.